Page 29 of Ghostlighted
The middle shelf held two orange plastic prescription bottles and a larger brown bottle with the calcium supplements. The larger bottle of multivitamin gummies beneath them on the taller shelf. A small basket on the vanity top held neatly rolled scarlet hand towels, so I removed all but one and used the last to cushion the bottom of the basket, making a nest for the bottles and pill minder.
As I ran out of the bedroom clutching the basket to my chest, I clocked that the wall facing the bed was virtually papered with framed photos of other family members. Even in the gathering dusk, I picked out Ricky’s smile immediately, because of course I did, but then I was out the door and down the stairs.
Chapter Ten
When I burst out the back door onto the porch, Ricky was still kneeling next to Sofia. As far as I could tell, she hadn’t moved. As the door swung shut behind me, I teetered on the edge of the top step for a moment.Latch the door. I staggered back and pulled the doorknob until I heard the click, then vaulted off the steps and ran across the lawn.
I dropped down next to Ricky, who was murmuring something to Sofia in Spanish. His phone lay next to him in the damp earth, the screen still lit with the 9-1-1 call.
“Is she conscious?” I asked.
Ricky glanced up at me. “Barely.”
“Where’s the ambulance?” I gazed around wildly in the deepening dusk. Ambulance companies had minimum response time requirements, but I didn’t know what they were here, or where the closest service was located. Granted, Ghost was pretty remote, but medical emergencies could happen anywhere, not to mention fires and—as I had personal experience with—threats of violent crime.
As though the 9-1-1 operator had heard my panic—which she probably had, since the call was on speaker, she said, “The responders will be there in three minutes.”
“Maz?” Ricky’s voice was hoarse, shaky. I couldn’t imagine what he was going through—what the whole clan would go through, should anything happen to Sofia.
“Yeah?”
“Could you do something for me, please?”
“Sure. Anything.”
“I have to stay on with the operator. Could you call my mother and let her know what’s happening?”
“Absolutely.” I pulled out my own phone. “What number?”
“Just call the restaurant and ask for Maria. The nearest hospital is in Richdale, so tell her the family can meet us there.”
“You got it.”
I stepped away so I wouldn’t interfere with the 9-1-1 call and dialed the restaurant.
“Hola. Taqueria Vargas. This is Felicia. How may I help you?”
“Hey, Felicia. This is Maz.”
“Maz! I’msoexcited about taking the trip with Tia. We went shopping in Eugene for the trip today and I talked her into buying a new suitcase. Her old one didn’t even havewheels. Can you imagine? Thank yousomuch for?—”
“Felicia.” I felt horrible interrupting and dousing her enthusiasm. “I’m sorry, but is your mom around?”
“Is… is something wrong? It’s not Ricky, is it?”
“No. He’s fine. But he asked me to speak with your mom.”
“She’s not here. She had to go pick up some limes at the supermercado in Richdale. From the sound of your voice, this isn’t a good thing, but whatever it is, you can tell me.”
I glanced back at Ricky and Sofia. He’d probably wanted to spare Felicia hearing about Sofia’s collapse from a non-family member, but I decided that speed and efficiency were more necessary than tact at the moment. I hoped they’d all forgive me.
“It’s Sofia. She collapsed in the garden.”
Felicia gasped. “She’s… she’sgone?”
“No! Not that, but she definitely fainted.”
“Her heart?”
